Game apparatus

ABSTRACT

A game board of the type having a playing surface and goals at opposed ends thereof for receipt of a projectile moved along the playing surface by players of the game. In one form of the invention, opposed sides of the game board intermediate the opposed ends are provided with a plurality of pairs of movable paddles each having a projectile engaging face disposed obliquely to the dimension of the game board between the opposed ends. One paddle in each pair has its face configured to direct the projectile in the general direction of one of the goals while the other paddle in each pair has its face configured to direct the projectile towards the other of the goals. Intermediate each pair of paddles are inwardly extending projections which define a tortuous path to be negotiated by the projectile in moving toward either of the goals. Manual actuators are provided for the paddles. In the preferred embodiment, one actuator is operative to cause movement of the corresponding one of the paddles in each of the pairs along one side of the game board. Preferably, the paddles and projections on one side of the game board are staggered with respect to the paddles and projections of the game board on the opposite side. In another form of the invention, the paddles and projections are provided only on one side of the game board, with a bounding wall on the other side.

United States Patent [191 Hicks et a1.

[4 1 Oct.14, 1975 GAME APPARATUS [73] Assignee: Marvin Glass & Associates,

Chicago, Ill.

22 Filed: July 8, 1974 211 App]. No.: 486,306

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No, 375,666, July 2,

1973, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. 273/119 R; 273/129 [51] Int. Cl. A63F 7/00 [58] Field of Search 273/85 A-85 F,

273/85 H, 94 A-94 F, 94 H, 119 R, 119 A, 121 R, 121 A, 121 D, 121 E, 122 R, 122 A,

OTHER PUBLICATIONS Flip Skill Advertisement, received 6-39.

Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Coffee & Sweeney ABSTRACT A game board of the type having a playing surface and goals at opposed ends thereof for receipt of a projectile moved along the playing surface by players of the game. In one form of the invention, opposed sides of the game board intermediate the opposed ends are provided with a plurality of pairs of movable paddles each having a projectile engaging face disposed obliquely to the dimension of the game board between the opposed ends. One paddle in each pair has its face configured to direct the projectile in the general direction of one of the goals while the other paddle in each pair has its face configured to direct the projectile towards the other of the goals. Intermediate each pair of paddles are inwardly extending projections which define a tortuous path to be negotiated by the projectile in moving toward either of the goals. Manual actuators are provided for the paddles. In the preferred embodiment, one actuator is operative to cause movement of the corresponding one of the paddles in each of the pairs along one side of the game board. Preferably, the paddles and projections on one side of the game board are staggered with respect to the paddles and projections of the game board on the opposite side. In another form of the invention, the paddles and projections are provided only on one side of the game board, with a bounding wall on the other side.

12 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures US. Patent 0a. 14, 1975' Sheet 1 of4 US. Patent 0.14,1975 Sheet20f4 3,912,272

US. Patent 0a. 14, 1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,912 272 U.S. Pate ht Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 4 (#4 3,912,272

GAME APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This is a continuation-in-part of applicants copending application Ser. No. 375,666, filed July 2, 1973, now abandoned, and entitled Game Apparatus.

This invention relates to game boards and more specifically, to game boards of the type having goals at opposed ends and wherein a projectile is moved across an intermediate playing surface toward one or the other of the goals. The most pertinent prior art known to the applicants includes US. Pat. Nos. 994,629 to A'mlie and 3,088,737 to Boone.

Over the years there have been a variety of proposals of different types of game boards embodying playing surfaces bounded at opposed ends with goals or the like wherein the general object is to move a projectile along the playing surface to one or the other of the goals.

After a certain number of goals have been scored by a particular player, the game is terminated.

In some instances, the games provide only for an attack by one player and repulsion by the other. The above-identified Amlie patent is representative of this approach.

In other instances, all players have equal facility to attack or defend. The above-identified Boone patent is representative of this approach.

Many such games are difficult to operate in that more than two actuators for the paddles are provided. This requires the operator to switch from one actuator to another depending upon the position of the projectile on the playing surface. Others, such as the aboveidentified Boone patent require the actuator be moved to follow the course of the projectile on the playing surface which also presents a difficulty in operation.

Moreover, many such games rely heavily on the element of luck and minimize the skill required in playing the game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the principal object of the invention to provide a new and improved game board apparatus of the type having goals at opposed ends and projectile engaging members for advancing a projectile on a playing surface towards one or the other of the goals. More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide such a game board which is uncomplicated and easy to use and which requires a high degree of skill in playing the game.

The exemplary embodiment of the invention achieves the foregoing objects in a structure including a playing surface having opposed ends at which are located respective goals. In the preferred embodiment, the goals are configured in the form of pockets to receive a projectile moved across the playing surface. In one form of the invention, opposed sides flank the playing surface and are provided with a plurality of pairs of upright movable members or paddles for engaging a projectile and moving the same to advance the projectile across the playing surface toward one or the other of the goals. One paddle in each pair is adapted to be actuated by one of the players in the game while the other paddle of each pair is adapted to be actuated by the other player. To this end, manual actuators for the paddle are provided with one actuator controlling all of one players paddles on one side of the game board-and another actuator controlling all of that players paddles on the other side. similar'pair of actuators is provided for the other player.

The faces of the paddles, which define projectile engaging surfaces, are arranged obliquely to the dimension of the game board extending between the opposed ends so as to provide for advancement of the projectile.

The playing surface is also provided with inwardly directed projections or baffleswhich define a tortuous path which must be negotiated by the projectile before a goal may be scored.

To enhance the degree of skill required in playing the game, the pairs of paddles on one side of the game board are staggered with respect to the pairs of paddles on the other side as are the projections. The faces of the paddles on one side of the board for a particular player are configured so as to direct the projectile toward that.players paddle across the board'and in the direction toward the opponents goal.

In another form of the invention, the paddles and projections are provided on only one side of the game board and a rebounding wall is provided on the other side of the board, with the playing surface inclined upwardly toward the wall.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of a game board made according to the invention; i

FIG. 2is a top plan view of the game'board;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section'taken approximately along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of one pair of paddles with parts broken away for clarity;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a mounting for the paddle actuators, again with parts broken away for clarity;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another form of a game board made according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the game apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a vertical section taken approximately along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a vertical section taken approximately along the line 99 of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of one pair of paddles with parts broken away for clarity.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-5, with reference first to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary embodiment of a game board made according to the invention is seen to include a base, generally designated 10, having opposed, upstanding end walls generally designated 12, and opposed, upstanding side walls generally designated 14, extending between the end walls 12. A playing surface 16 is located between the end walls 12 and side walls 14 and is of the type adapted to receive spherical projectiles such as a marble or the'like.

Located along the length of each of the side walls 14 is a plurality of pairs of paddles, each pair being generally designated 18, which is adapted to engage a projectile on the playing surface 16 and advance the same in one direction or another thereon. In this respect, each of the end walls 12 is provided with a pocket, generally designated 20, which defines a goal for receipt of a projectile.

The general organization is completed by the provision of a plurality of inwardly extending projections, each generally designated 22, located between adjacent pairs of the paddles l8 and first and second sets of actuators, generally designated 24 and 26, for actuating particular ones of the paddles in each pair 18 as will be seen.

In general, one of the players will use the operators 24 while the other player will use the operators 26 to actuate particular ones of the paddles in each pair 18 to advance the projectile along the playing surface 16 toward the opponents goal, i.e., that goal at the opposite end wall 12 from the player. The projections 22 intermediate each pair of paddles l8 require that the projectile follow a tortuous path along the playing surface 16.

With reference now to FIGS. 1-3, inclusive, it will be observed that the playing surface 16 includes a central crown 28 extending between the opposed ends 12 such that a projectile will move under the influence of gravity to one or the other of side walls 14. During such movement, it will be guided toward one of the pairs of paddles 18 by means of the configuration of the projections 22. In this regard, with specific reference to FIG. 2, each of the projections 22 appears somewhat as a horizontally disposed obelisk. That is, each includes a pair of converging, gradually tapered sides 30 terminating at the end thereof in more abruptly tapered surfaces 34 culminating in an inwardmost directed pointed edge 36. The ends of the sides 30 adjacent the side walls 14 are in close abutment to a paddle in each pair 18 as generally indicated at 38.

As can be observed from FIG. 2, the paddle pairs 18 and the intervening projections 22 on one side of the game board are staggered with respect to the paddle pairs 18 and the intervening projections on the opposite side of the board. The purpose of this structural arrangement will become apparent hereinafter.

Each of the end walls 12 has an innermost side 40 which is disposed at an angle to the dimension of the game board extending between the end walls 12, which angle is such that the side 40 will be generally parallel to the adjacent side 30 of the nearest projection 22. Thus, a channel 42 through which the projectile may pass between the side 40 and the side 30 to the goal is defined.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the paddle pairs 18 will be described in detail. Each paddle pair 18 consists of a paddle 44 and a paddle 46. The paddle 44 is defined by a bellcrank having a projectile engaging face 48 on one end thereof and a connection to an elongated channel 50 at the other. The paddle 46 is also defined by a bell crank having a lower projectile engaging face 52 at one end thereof and a connection at the other end to a channel 54 generally similar to the channel 50.

The channels 50 and 54 overlie the upper edge of the side walls 14 and form part of the actuators 24 and 26 for the associated paddles 44 and 46 in each of the pairs 18. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the channel 50, at one end thereof, includes an offset portion 58 which, as will be seen, may be depressed by a player of the game to actuate the paddles 44 on one side of the playing surface 16. The channel 54 includes a similar offset portion 60 which may be manipulated by the opposing player for the purpose of actuating the paddles 46 on the corresponding side of the game board.

At spaced locations along the length of both of the channels 50 and 54, the same include apertured tongues 62 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 5) for receipt of a rod 64 defining a pivot axis for both the channels 50 and 54. The rod 64 is mounted in an elevated position above the upper surface of the side wall 14 by upstanding tongues 66 appropriately located along the length thereof. As a result of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the depression of either one of the offset portions 58 and 60 will cause the corresponding paddles 44 and 46 to pivot outwardly and away from the corresponding side wall 14 to engage a projectile on the playing surface 16 to add impetus thereto.

As best viewed in FIG. 5, a spring return is provided to normally bias the channels 50 and 54 such that the paddles 44 and 46 will assume retracted positions. In particular, the under surface of eachof the offset portions 58 and 60 include an integral lug 68 having a side 70 in engagement with an upstanding leaf spring 72 secured to the base 10 in any suitable fashion. As a result, when downward pressure is not being applied to either of the actuating portions 58 and 60, the corresponding paddles 44 and 46 will be biased to a retracted position.

To preclude damage to the spring 72 which could be caused by overpivoting, underlying each of the offset portions 58 and 60 is an upstanding stop 74 which is engaged by the offset portion before the same may be depressed sufficiently to cause damage to the spring 72.

If desired, the playing surface 16 may be provided with a plurality of bumpers 76 at various locations such as illustrated in FIG. 2. Each bumper is defined by an upstanding post 78 mounting an annular rubber ring 80 and located along the crown 28. The bumpers 76 form a further obstacle to the movement of the projectile and complement the projections 22 in defining a tortuous path that must be negotiated by the projectile to one or the other of the goals.

A combination handle and starting device, generally designated 82, may be provided. Integral posts 84 upstanding from the centralmost ones of the projections 22 mount at their upper ends a plate 86 having an aperture 88 therein which is centrally located with respect to the playing surface 16. After each point is scored, a projectile may be dropped through the aperture 88 for the purpose of initiating a new scoring sequence.

If desired, each of the end walls 12 may be provided with a plurality of peg receiving apertures 90 for receipt of a score keeping peg 92. Each of the apertures 90 may have suitable indicia representing the earned score such as the indicia generally designated 94.

In playing the game, the opposing players locate themselves at opposite ends 12 of the playing board such that each has two of the operators 24 or 26 adjacent to him. One operator may be manipulated with the right hand, the other with the left so that the corresponding paddles 44 or 46 on each of the sides 14 can be actuated to depression of the associated operator. The projectile may be dropped through the aperture 88 initiating the game. Because of the presence of the crown 28 in the playing surface 16, the projectile will roll to one side or the other at which time the players may actuate their associated paddles 44 or 46 in an attempt to direct the projectile towards the opponents goal 2 0. In this respect, it is to be observed, particularly with reference to FIG. 2, that the faces 48 and 52 of the paddles 44 and 46 are disposed obliquely to the dimension of the game board between the opposed ends 12 such that the projectile may be directed to the same players paddle 44 or 46 on the opposite side 14 ofthe playing surface as generally indicated by arrows 94. Thus, a skillful player may attempt to advance the projectile towards his opponents goal in such a way that the opposing player cannot interfere with the progress of the projectile. 'However, as can be seen in FIG. 2, certain ones of the bumpers 76 are located so as to deflect the projectile in some instances as, for example, a projectile following the path indicated by arrows 96.

As a result, an additional element of skill is introduced into the game in terms of the reaction of players. When the projectile is deflected as by bumper 76 or, for that matter, as by one of the projections 22, to enter a given one of the stations defined by two adjacent projections 22, the first player to actuate his paddle 44 or 46 will advance the projectile towards his opponents goal by reason of the oblique disposition of the faces 48 and 52 on the paddle.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 6 through 10, the game apparatus includes a base, generally designated 100, having opposed upstanding end walls 102, upper .and lower side walls 104 and 106, respectively, extending between the end walls 102. An inclined playing surface 108 is located between the end walls 102 and the side walls 104, I06 and is of the type adapted to receive spherical objects S such as a marble or the like.

As seen best in FIG. 7, located along the lower side wall 106 is a plurality of pairs of paddles similar to those described in relation to theembodiment of FIGS. [-5 and generally designated 110. Each pair of paddles similarly is adapted to engage a projectile on the playing surface 108 and advance the same in one direction or another thereon. Each of the end walls 12 is provided with a goal or pocket 112 which defines the goals for receipt of the projectiles. A plurality of inwardly and upwardly raised projections 114 are located between adjacent pairs of the paddles 110. A first and second operator, generally designated 116 and 118, are provided for actuating particular ones of the paddles in each pair 110 as previously described, and as will be seen hereinafter.

As with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, in general, one of the players will use the operator 116 while the other player will use the operator 118 to actuate particular ones of the paddles in each pair 110 to advance the projectile along the playing surface 108 toward the oppo nents goal, i.e., that goal at the opposite end wall 102 from the player. The projections 114 intermediate each pair of paddles 110 require that the projectile follow a tortuous path along the playing surface and can rebound off of the upper side wall 104 back down the inclined playing surface 108 against the projections 114 or toward the pairs of paddles 110.

Whereas the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. l-5 includes a central crown 28, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-10 has a playing surface 108 which is inclined upwardly from the pairs of paddles 110 to the rebounding wall 104 so that the projectiles will move under the influence of gravity back downwardly along the playing surface 108 toward the lower side wall 106.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, each paddle pair 18 includes a paddle 120 and a paddle 122. The paddle 120 is connected to an elongated channel 124. The paddle 122 is connected to a channel 126.

The channels 124 and 126 overlie, generally, the upper edgeof the lower side wall 106 and are integrally connected to the actuators 116 and 118, respectively, for the associated paddles 120 and 122 in each of the pairs, similarly as described in relation to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5.

At spaced locations along the length of both of the channels 124 and 126, the same include apertured tongues 128 (FIGS. 7-9) for receipt of a short rod 130 which extends through an upwardly directed tongue 132 which is part of the base 100. As a result of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the depression of either one of the actuators 116, 118 will cause the corresponding paddles 120 and 122, respectively, to pivot outwardly and away from the lower side wall 106 to engage a projectile S on the playing surface 108 to add impetus thereto.

As best viewed in FIGS. 8 and 9, a spring return is provided to normally bias the channels 124 and 126 such that the paddles 44 and 46 will assume retracted positions. In particular, the under surface of each of the actuators 116 and 118 engage an upstanding leaf spring 134 secured to the base in any suitable fashion. As a result, when downward pressure is not applied to either of the actuators 116, 118, the corresponding paddles will be biased to a retracted position.

To preclude damage to the springs 134 which could be caused by overpivoting, underlying each of the actuators is an upstanding stop 136 which is engaged by the actuators before the same may be depressed sufficiently to cause damage to the springs.

A starting device is provided in the form of an arcuate flange 140 protruding upwardly from the playing surface 108 generally near the upper rebounding walll 104. After each point is scored, one or more projectiles may be positioned on top of the arcuate flange 140 whereby it will roll off one or the other end thereof for the purpose of initiating another play of the game.

The play of the game is generally similar to that of the embodiment shown in FIGS. l-5 except for the fact that instead of a projectile possibly being projected over the center crown 28, the projectile or projectiles in the embodiment of FIGS. 6-10 can be projected upwardly along the inclined playing surface 108 against the rebounding wall 104 and then back down again along the playing surface at a rebounding angle toward either the projections 114 or the paddle pairs 110.

FIG. 7 shows a pair of projectiles S in full lines in the opposite goals 112 and a pair of projectiles S shown in dotted lines on top of the arcuate flange 140. In other words, more than one projectile can be utilized during a single play, particularly with the rebounding facilities of the upper side wall 104, to provide for fast and exciting play of the game.

As a result of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a game board made according to the invention is relatively simple in construction and yet may be made in a quite durable fashion. The same provides the opportunity for the players to exercise great skill in the play in the game while retaining some of the chance element.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom as some modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

We claim:'

l. A game apparatus comprising:

a playing surface along which a projectile may be moved, said surface having opposed ends and first and second opposed sides;

a projectile movingly supported on said surface;

means at each of the opposed ends defining a goal toward which the projectile can be directed;

a plurality of spaced apart projections on said surface adjacent said first side extending inwardly therefrom and abutting a substantially unimpeded portion of said surface extending between said opposed ends, the area of the surface between each successive pair of projections on the first side defining a projectile receiving area for receiving a projectile; I a plurality of pairs of movable members mounted on the first side, one pair for each receiving area, said I members being adapted to strike a projectile in a receiving area, each pair of movable members including a first movable member that directs a projectile generally toward one of said goals and a second movable member that directs a projectile toward the other of said goals; and

first and second actuating-means associated with said first and second movable members respectively on said first side for selectively moving the associated movable members to strike a projectile in a receiving area whereby a projectile is directed toward one or the other of the opposed ends in an effort to move the projectile to a goal.

2. The game apparatus of claim 1 including a plurality of spaced apart projections on said surface adjacent said second side extending inwardly therefrom and abutting said unimpeded portion of said surface, said unimpeded portion extending transversely between the inward ends of the projections adjacent both sides, the area of the surface between each successive pair of projections on said second side defining a projectile receiving area for I, receiving a projectile,

a plurality of pairs of movable members mounted on the second side, one pair for each receiving area, said members being adapted to strike a projectile in a receiving area, each pair of movable members including a first movable member that directs a projectile toward the same end as the first members mounted on the first side and a second movable member thatdirects a projectile toward the same end as the second members mounted on the first side, and

first and second actuating means associated with the first and second movable members respectively on said second side for selectively moving the associated movable members to strike a projectile in a receiving area.

3. The game apparatus of claim 2 wherein said playing surface is inclined upwardly from said first and second opposed sides to a crown extending between the opposed ends.

4. The. game apparatus of claim 3 including a starting device mounted above said playing surface to facilitate dropping a projectile onto the playing surface generally at said crown.

5. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second side is bounded by an upstanding wall against which a projectile can rebound back toward the movable members after being struck and projected thereby against said wall.

6. The game apparatus of claim 5 wherein said playing surface is inclined upwardly from said receiving areas toward said rebounding wall.

7. The game apparatus of claim 6 including a starting device mounted on said playing surface adjacent said wall to facilitate starting a projectile randomly down said surface on either side of said starting device.

8.The game apparatus of claim 7 wherein said starting'device comprises an arcuate flange protruding upwardly from said playing surface with the high point of the flange nearest said wall.

9. A game apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said playing surface is crowned between said opposed sides and wherein said goal defining means comprise pockets in said opposed ends.

10. A game apparatus comprising:.means defining a playing surface along which a projectile may be moved, said playing surface having opposed ends; means at each of said opposed ends defining a goal at which a projectile may be directed; a plurality of movable members mounted along at least one side of said playing surface intermediate said opposed ends, said members being adapted to engage a projectile on said playing surface for moving the same toward one of said goals, said movable members being paired along the side of said playing surface, one of the movable members in each pair being constructed and arranged to directthe projectile generally non-transverse to the dimension of said apparatus extending between said opposed ends and toward one of said opposed ends and the other of the movable members in each pair being constructed and arranged to direct the projectile toward the other of said opposed ends, each of said movable members including a projectile engaging surface located immediately above said playing surface, each of said projectile.

engaging surfaces having a face disposed obliquely to the dimension of said game board extending'between said opposed ends; at least two actuators, one for one of said movable members in each pair and adapted to be manually actuated to move the associated one of said movable members to strike a projectile onsaid playing surface; and means on said playing surface interposed between at least some of said movable members defining a tortuous path to be negotiated by aprojectile in moving toward either of said goals at said opposed ends, said means defining a tortuous path including a plurality of projections extending inwardly from said side of the playing surface, said projections being disposed between each of said pairs of movable members.

11. The game apparatus of claim 10 wherein said playing surface has first and second opposed sides between said ends with said movable members and actuators only along the first side, and said second side being bounded by an upstanding wall against which a projectile can rebound back toward the movable members after being struck and projected thereby against said wall.

12. The game apparatus of claim 11 wherein said playing surface is inclined upwardly from said receiving areas toward said rebounding wall. 

1. A game apparatus comprising: a playing surface along which a projectile may be moved, said surface having opposed ends and first and second opposed sides; a projectile movingly supported on said surface; means at each of the opposed ends defining a goal toward which the projectile can be directed; a plurality of spaced apart projections on said surface adjacent said first side extending inwardly therefrom and abutting a substantially unimpeded portion of said surface extending between said opposed ends, the area of the surface between each successive pair of projections on the first side defining a projectile receiving area for receiving a projectile; a plurality of pairs of movable members mounted on the first side, one pair for each receiving area, said members being adapted to strike a projectile in a receiving area, each pair of movable members including a first movable member that directs a projectile generally toward one of said goals and a second movable member that directs a projectile toward the other of said goals; and first and second actuating means associated with said first and second movable members respectively on said first side for selectively moving the associated movable members to strike a projectile in a receiving area whereby a projectile is directed toward one or the other of the opposed ends in an effort to move the projectile to a goal.
 2. The game apparatus of claim 1 including a plurality of spaced apart projections on said surface adjacent said second side extending inwardly therefrom and abutting said unimpeded portion of said surface, said unimpeded portion extending transversely between the inward ends of the projections adjacent both sides, the area of the surface between each successive pair of projections on said second side defining a projectile receiving area for receiving a projectile, a plurality of pairs of movable members mounted on the second side, one pair for each receiving area, said members being adapted to strike a projectile in a receiving area, each pair of movable members including a first movable member that directs a projectile toward the same end as the first members mounted on the first side and a second movable member that directs a projectile toward the same end as the second members mounted on the first side, and first and second actuating means associated with the first and second movable members respectively on said second side for selectively moving the associated movable members to strike a projectile in a receiving area.
 3. The game apparatus of claim 2 wherein said playing surface is inclined upwardly from said first and second opposed sides to a crown extending between the opposed ends.
 4. The game apparatus of claim 3 including a starting device mounted above said playing surface to facilitate dropping a projectile onto the playing surface generally at said crown.
 5. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second side is bounded by an upstanding wall against which a projectile can rebound back toward the movable members after being struck and projected thereby against said wall.
 6. The game apparatus of claim 5 wherein said playing surface is inclined upwardly from said receiving areas toward said rebounding wall.
 7. The game apparatus of claim 6 including a starting device mounted on said playing surface adjacent said wall to facilitate starting a projectile randomly down said surface on either side of said starting device.
 8. The game apparatus of claim 7 wherein said starting device comprises an arcuate flange protruding upwardly from said playing surface with the high point of the flange nearest said wall.
 9. A game apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said playing surface is crowned between said opposed sides and wherein said goal defining means comprise pockets in said opposed ends.
 10. A game apparatus comprising: means defining a playing surface along which a projectile may be moved, said playing surface having opposed ends; means at each of said opposed ends defining a goal at which a projectile may be directed; a plurality of movable members mounted along at least one side of said playing surface intermediate said opposed ends, said members being adapted to engage a projectile on said playing surface for moving the same toward one of said goals, said movable members being paired along the side of said playing surface, one of the movable members in each pair being constructed and arranged to direct the projectile generally non-transverse to the dimension of said apparatus extending between said opposed ends and toward one of said opposed ends and the other of the movable members in each pair being constructed and arranged to direct the projectile toward the other of said opposed ends, each of said movable members including a projectile engaging surface located immediately above said playing surface, each of said projectile engaging surfaces having a face disposed obliquely to the dimension of said game board extending between said opposed ends; at least two actuators, one for one of said movable members in each pair and adapted to be manually actuated to move the associated one of said movable members to strike a projectile on said playing surface; and means on said playing surface interposed between at least some of said movable members defining a tortuous path to be negotiated by a projectile in moving toward either of said goals at said opposed ends, said means defining a tortuous path including a plurality of projections extending inwardly from said side of the playing surface, said projections being disposed between each of said pairs of movable members.
 11. The game apparatus of claim 10 wherein said playing surface has first and second opposed sides between said ends with said movable members and actuators only along the first side, and said second side being bounded by an upstanding wall against which a projectile can rebound back toward the movable members after being struck and projected thereby against said wall.
 12. The game apparatus of claim 11 wherein said playing surface is inclined upwardly from said receiving areas toward said rebounding wall. 